The Vengeful Warrior Luna's Return novel Chapter 5

Astra’s POV

The Council elder’s tower stood a good mile outside the pack.

Located at the top of Graystone Keep, it was at the very border of the Zane pack, and it took Bekki and me two hours to get there.

The bright afternoon sun peeked out from behind morning clouds. Already, my feet felt like they were ready to give up on me.

“Mistress.” Bekki glanced at me worriedly. “Should we pause and rest for a bit?”

I panted, beads of sweat rolling down the sides of my head, but I refused. “No. We’re here already.”

I could see the tower. It’s massive stone structure rising atop the hill and reflecting sunlight off its obsidian stone.

“It’s powerful,” Bekki observed under breath.

She was right.

The council Elder’s tower was more than a structure; it was revered. From far and wide, every Alpha wolf within these borders had to bow to the rulers atop the wall. It was the highest seat of power.

“Luna Astra,” The main guard at the gate bowed deeply in respect.

But the title felt like a mockery now. It was the very thing I had come to get revoked.

I nodded then cleared my throat. “I seek an audience with the Grand Elder.”

The guard suddenly looked uncomfortable but more stern. He tapped his ear, listening to a mindlink, then shook his head at me. “Apologie,s Luna. The High Elder will not receive you.”

Bekki stiffened beside me. “Do you know how long she has walked?! She—”

“Apologies.” He maintained. His voice was gruff and professional. “But we can’t let you in without permission.”

“But–” Bekki started to protest, but I cut her short with a single shake of my head.

“I’ll wait.”

“Mistress,” Bekki’s voice grew concerned. Her eyes flickering from me to the stunned guards.

“Sit,” I ordered, looking to the stone steps.

Bekki’s mouth parted and closed several times. Then reluctantly, she obeyed.

Three hours later, I was still outside.

The sun had risen high in the sky, its scorching heat tingling my skin as it beat mercilessly on me.

I was exhausted, my stomach twisted in hunger, and the back of my dress plastered to my skin with sweat. Yet I did not move.

One more hour later, and even the guards had joined Bekki to beg. This time, they all urged that I leave.

“My Lady,” The head guard shifted uncomfortably, his voice thick with concern. “Please see reason and leave. The High Elder is not a man that can be bent.”

“I’m not asking him to bend,” I replied as calmly as I could, my voice raspy from the lack of water. “All I want is for him to listen.”

It seemed like one more hour passed, but I cannot be certain.

Underneath the hot sun, time bled, and my vision blurred at its edges.

Finally, the huge double gates began to groan on their hinges as the guards pulled open the gates.

Several of them lined up, staring at me with awe, admiration, and newfound respect.

The head guard bowed deeply before me again. His voice louder now as he made the new announcement.

“The High Elder will see you now.”

—----------------------------------------

Elder Kellen sat alone in his chambers.

The window blinds drawn almost close but open enough for a stream of light to peek through.

“Astra.”

His voice was deep. Gruffer and older than I remembered it, but it still filled my heart with a strange warmth as a single hand beckoned me closer. “Come, child,”

Silence stretched between us. I braced myself for the lecture, for him to tell me I was being dramatic, that all marriages had rough patches, that I should go home and make peace with my husband like a proper Luna.

Instead, he smiled.

It was a small, sad smile, but it reached his eyes.

"Your father used to say the daughters of Pack Hale were wilder than the prairie wind," he murmured fondly. "He said a wolf like that would either have her legs broken... or pass over the highest snow peak."

He stepped back, studying me as if seeing me for the first time.

"I always wondered which one you'd be."

"And now?"

"Now?" He let out a soft breath that might have been a laugh. "Now I think your father would be proud."

My chest was pounding, my heart full of emotions as Elder Audric turned and pulled what looked like a small, smooth stone from his desk.

The runes.

My breathing picked up.

I recognized the markings and carvings on the stone’s surface.

Even with the distance between us, they pulse softly and hummed a type of noise.

Pure power.

“Take it.’’ Elder Kellen held out the stone to me. “You’ll need it in three days, when the officials arrive. They’ll conduct the ceremony and after that… the decision will be final.”

The weight of his words settled in my heart as my hands closed over the ball of pulsing energy.

I lowered my head, a drop of tear slipped free and fell to the ground.

“Thank you, Grand Elder.”

In three days, I'll cut Kieran loose—ending everything with my alpha, the one I gave my all to.